Callaway Firebird

A discussion Forum for all other Callaway Vehicles and Projects, including the Callaway SportTrucks and SUVs, Callaway Camaros, and Cadillac CTS-V Series Automobiles, plus historic VW, Mercedes, Porsche, Alfa Romeo and many more including the Callaway Bump-Up Kits
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C8Bruce
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Callaway Firebird

Post by C8Bruce »

I'm a new member. I've read about a lot of fantastic cars on this forum!

I own a 1995 Pontiac Firebird Formula that Callaway Cars put the complete C8 package (except the Aero Body) on. It is the only one they ever did. I read an article in March 1994 Motor Trend about the C8 Camaro. I contacted Callaway and they said they would put the package on a Firebird. I liked the interior and body of the Firebird. I had the car drop-shipped direct from the factory to Old Lyme. I received it on March 17, 1995 complete with Supernatural 400/383, headers (ceramic coated), Supernatural exaust system, Honker intake, Suspension (3/4'" lowered), F40 Brembo brake package and Hurst short-throw shifter installed at the factory. I liked the look of the Corvette ZR1 wheels on this body over the Callaway alloys so I requested them installed at the factory also.

In September of 1996 it went back to Old Lyme for the 435/383 upgrade. It came back in January, 1997.

In April, 1997 Mike Zoner and Bill Prout (then director of marketing) met me and picked up the car to be the subject of a promotional article in Sports Car International magazine. It was published in the Aug/Sept issue. They shipped another set of rims for me to put on for the article since they were prompting those at the time.

I have always kept it garaged, drive it only on sunny Southern California weekends and to local car shows. It has 60,000 miles, and it is in near new condition.

This is the only Firebird Callaway built. It is a beautiful, powerful, well-ballanced machine. A real joy to drive.
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Callayay 001.JPG
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Dakota Aero
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Re: Callaway Firebird

Post by Dakota Aero »

Hey Bruce, great car, very unusual, thanks for sharing! I bet you have surprised some cruisers!

DA
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Re: Callaway Firebird

Post by Jeroenvgfn »

Bruce,

Welcome, very cool car , all about the Camaro and Corvette but never seen a Callaway Firebird :cool
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Brangeta
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Re: Callaway Firebird

Post by Brangeta »

INCREDIBLE!

I've been waiting for years with my fingers crossed that this car would someday show up here. :thumb1

More pics! :jsmile I'd love to see a closeup of the brakes. The Callaway build sheet would be awesome too.
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Re: Callaway Firebird

Post by BIGJOHN »

You should see the Trans Am that is in the shop right now!!!
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Re: Callaway Firebird

Post by Brangeta »

I should! Make it happen Big John!!! :thumbs
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Re: Callaway Firebird

Post by BIGJOHN »

It is a black 2002 supercharged!
I don't like taking photos when they are very very busy!
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Re: Callaway Firebird

Post by C8Bruce »

Hey Brangeta, I'll get more pictures, the build sheet and a PDF of the magazine article posted hopefully this weekrnd. Sorry for the late reply.
Thanks for your interest!
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Re: Callaway Firebird

Post by C8Bruce »

Is the supercharged Trans Am at the Callaway shop? Would like to see pictures when it's finished.
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Re: Callaway Firebird

Post by BIGJOHN »

C8Bruce wrote:Is the supercharged Trans Am at the Callaway shop? Would like to see pictures when it's finished.
It was last week!!!
It's not mine!
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Re: Callaway Firebird

Post by Brangeta »

C8Bruce wrote:Hey Brangeta, I'll get more pictures, the build sheet and a PDF of the magazine article posted hopefully this weekrnd. Sorry for the late reply.
Thanks for your interest!
Great! I can't wait.
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Re: Callaway Firebird

Post by Brangeta »

Bump! Any updates?
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Re: Callaway Firebird

Post by C8Bruce »

Hi All,
Well, its time to sell her. As you can tell by my activity on this forum I don't spend time with her any more. She sits in my garage with her cover on, not being appreciated. Its time to find her a loving new home.
Again, it is a 1995 Pontiac Firebird, the only one that Callaway Cars put the entire C8 package on (sands the AeroBody). She is listed on Ebay, search Callaway Cars or Callaway Firebird.
I have attached interesting documents. I am the original owner.
Attachments
Callaway Promotion Article.pdf
(689.35 KiB) Downloaded 1141 times
Callaway Supernatural 435 Upgrade.pdf
(370.07 KiB) Downloaded 1016 times
Callaway Firebird Original Purchase.pdf
(669.88 KiB) Downloaded 1035 times
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Re: Callaway Firebird

Post by Brangeta »

I saw this on ebay today and decided to look here and was surprised to see a post! Hey Bruce, what were the original wheels on the car, when the article was written? Do you remember the name of them? Why were those put on for the article?

I see on your invoice that ZR1 style wheels were put on the car by Callaway and that's what the car is wearing on ebay. Could you take a pic of them? It looks like they have Callaway center caps. I don't recall ever seeing Callaway ever do that before, and I'd like to save a pic of them to my files I save.

Very cool to see this car after all of these years! :thumb1 Good luck with the sale! I posted a link on my Facebook group called 4th Generation Camaro/Firebird History.
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Re: Callaway Firebird

Post by C8Bruce »

The original wheels were the '95 ZR-1s. I wanted the Callaway pinwheels but they wouldn't sell them without the run-flat option and I didn't want to pay for that. They put the Callaway caps in the center at my request.

The article was in the AUG/Sept issue of Sports Car International. At that time they were promoting Fittipaldi Wheels and Perelli tires. They shipped the wheels/tires to me for the article and I had a local shop install them. They offered them to me but I did not like the feel of the Perelli tires, nor did I like the look of the Fittipaldi wheels so I returned them. The ZR-1/Bridgestone RE77 combination was rock solid. The wheels were Fittipaldi Tubolares with Perelli P Zero tires.

Mike Zoner and Mike Vendetto at Callaway Cars still remember this car and myself. I contact them every several years.

Best regards
Attachments
DSC00761.JPG
Callaway Supernatural 435 Upgrade.pdf
(370.07 KiB) Downloaded 989 times
Callaway Firebird Original Purchase.pdf
(669.88 KiB) Downloaded 1012 times
Callaway Promotion Article.pdf
(689.35 KiB) Downloaded 1015 times
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